Ukraine announced an attack, hitting a Russian air defense site in Crimea

(Dan Tri) – President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian forces carried out an attack on a Russian military airport in Crimea.

Screenshot of a video believed to be a Russian air defense system being targeted in Dzhankoi, Crimea on April 17 (Photo: Crimean Wind/Telegram).

In a speech on the evening of April 17, President Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian forces had carried out an attack the same morning, targeting a Russian military airport in Dzhankoi on the Crimean peninsula.

Mr. Zelensky appreciated the armed forces and Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi for this operation, but did not elaborate on the consequences of the attack.

Mr. Zelensky warned that Russia must `pay a painful price` for the war in Ukraine and that Russia’s frozen assets should be used to help Ukraine fight terrorism.

Explosions were reported near the airport in the early morning of April 17.

`We confirm successful attacks carried out overnight in the Dzhankoi airport area,` Atesh said.

According to Atesh, a launcher of the S-400 air defense system exploded after the attack, damaging the rest of the system.

An attack was also reported at the command center of a unit of the 18th Guards Air Defense Missile Regiment of the 31st Air Defense Division, Atesh stated.

The Crimean Telegram channel reported that the attack damaged three S-400 launchers, one S-400 radar system, two S-300 launchers and a missile depot.

Russia has not yet commented on the above information.

Dzhankoi, located south of the crossing from Crimea into the Kherson region, is a major military center.

The Crimean peninsula, where the Russian Black Sea Fleet is headquartered, has recently been repeatedly targeted by attacks by missiles, drones and unmanned boats.

According to analysts, recent activities around Crimea are not random moves but are part of Ukraine’s larger counterattack effort.

Deputy Director of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Agency (GUR) Vadym Skibitsky recently stated that Crimea is the key to helping Russia expand its influence in the region.

Observers say that with this strategic significance, Crimea can be considered a deciding factor in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

However, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev stated that Moscow would consider `using all means, including nuclear` in the event of an attack on Crimea.